EU and India Carry Out Maiden Joint Naval Exercise

India and the European Union (EU) conducted their inaugural joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Guinea on October 24, 2023. This exercise marks an important step in strengthening maritime security cooperation in the region. It followed the third meeting of the EU-India Maritime Security Dialogue that took place on October 5, 2023, in Brussels. This collaborative effort signifies the commitment of both parties to enhance naval maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.

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About the Joint Naval Exercise between India and the EU

During the exercise in the Gulf of Guinea, the Indian Navy’s INS Sumedha, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, collaborated with three ships from EU Member States: the Italian Navy Ship ITS Foscari, the French Navy Ship FS Ventôse, and the Spanish Navy Ship Tornado. These four ships engaged in a series of tactical maneuvers in international waters off the coast of Ghana. The activities included a boarding exercise, a flying exercise using helicopters from the French Ship Ventôse and the Indian Naval Ship Sumedha, and the transfer of personnel between the ships.

Following the exercise, a knowledge-sharing session was conducted in Accra, Ghana, which aimed to build on the joint experience at sea to enhance operational expertise. The session also fostered closer relationships between Ghanaian officials and representatives of the Indian, EU, and EU Member States missions to Ghana.

Significance

These activities highlighted the joint commitment of India and the EU to support coastal states and the Yaoundé Architecture in ensuring maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea. They demonstrated the depth and vitality of EU-India cooperation in the realm of maritime security and reaffirmed their mutual determination to uphold the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This collaboration is a significant step in promoting maritime security in the region.

Shubham Mittal

Shubham Mittal is a renowned current affairs writer and expert in government exam preparation, inspiring readers with insightful articles and guiding aspirants with his expertise.

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